Concerto Caledonia - Colin's Kisses - The Recorder Magazine

04 October 1999The Recorder Magazine

Perhaps among the best known works of Scottish composer James Oswald (1710-1769) are his Airs for the Seasons, some of which are recorded here, but this disc shows him to be a versatile composer of both instrumental and vocal music. The Sonata of Scots Tunes finds Oswald making use of national melodies, (of which he was an enthusiastic gatherer) and there is more than a hint of a Scottish style in the third movement of his Serenata No.4, both works in trio-sonata form. Ten of the twelve songs from "Colin's Kisses", (a collection which has a strong claim to being the earliest song cycle), are presented in four groups that punctuate the programme and give the disc its title. the Divertimento No.4 provides a rare opportunity to here the English guitar, a wire strung instrument particularly promoted by Oswald. These are excellent performances by musicians who have become well known for their authoritative and vital interpretations of the music of the baroque.